Verma has only had one match and looks seriously pedestrian once he runs out of puff. Ish is still pretty average at this stage of his career, and Baker is just filler. Also missing Aldridge which is a big blow for them. Its not a poor bowling attack, but its a long way off ND's usual standards.

Not really, not this season anyhow. Aldridge has been struggling all year with his fitness, picked up a dirty 5fer on a green track against Canterbury early on but other than that he's been next to hopeless. Down on pace and he's lost the zip he had a couple of seasons ago, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he retired at seasons end.

The man must have a left shoulder of steel, that's for sure. He can't play the short ball. He knows it, everyone not living under a rock knows it, yet no-one's managed to exploit it. Yeah it's domestic cricket but if Andy ****ing Ellis can scare him surely he'd be a goner by now if he didn't have something extra.

Craig Cachopa looks like the most awkward batsman ever, especially his stance. I reckon both of his brothers look more fluent and natural, even if Carl can't play a bouncer.

Howsie has a great eye for talent though, even if he has an irrational hate for the 30+ brigade, so we'll see I guess.

Craigchopa and Dusan Hakaraia will hopefully get given some more responsibility next season though since Auckland have a few guys nearing the end of their careers.

Originally Posted by Athlai

Jeets doesn't really deserve to be bowling.

Originally Posted by Athlai

Well yeah Tendy is probably better than Bradman, but Bradman was 70 years ago, if he grew up in the modern era he'd still easily be the best. Though he wasn't, can understand the argument for Tendy even though I don't agree.

You know what, considering Craig's 21, Howsie wasn't just being Howsie. Best part is when he starts pounding his straight drive about 1:30 in, sending Small and Jarvis down the ground.

Looked fairly unorthodox and sketchy until that 1.30 mark as you mentioned, when he does a few glorious drives. Seriously, haven't seen a decent straight/on-drive like that in a while. Looks pretty tight once he gets going.

Has an 'interesting' diagonal bat defense in that first half too...

President of SKAS - Kat is King | Proud member of CVAAS - One of the best | LRPLTAS - Rosco rocks!Go Tigers!
R.I.P. Fardin & Craig

Has a bit of that backlift-towards-gully thing that many modern players (esp limited overs players) do. A little similar to Guptill in that can hit nice on drives from balls on offstump but it can also cause problems.

Looks decent and hits the ball well but I don't know that international quality is necessarily exuding from every pore.

Has a bit of that backlift-towards-gully thing that many modern players (esp limited overs players) do. A little similar to Guptill in that can hit nice on drives from balls on offstump but it can also cause problems.

Yes, this. He has a 'choke' grip, which is becoming more and more widely coached - basically it's very bottom-handed, which means his backswing will always go out towards gully. It does give a lot of power, since you are holding the bat so strongly with your bottom hand - particularly in driving and pulling - but it means that you're always defending with hard hands, and across the ball (i.e. bat coming down in the line of gully to mid-on) instead of through it.

He's a talented player, and has an appetite for runs (scored very heavily the last few club seasons), but is a long long way from being the finished article. Needs at least another big season before we anoint him as the new Saviour of NZ Cricket.